McKee contacted The Topeka Capital-Journal after it published an article Saturday indicating the city had suspended plans to hold its annual Takeover/Makeover cleanup. The city announced Monday it would hold Takeover/Makeover on May 17 and May 24.

McKee said Monday she had been “blasted” with concerns during the past couple days that KAB had suspended “Get Down and Get Dirty,” its annual community-wide litter cleanup, which will be April 26.

“There are 1,500 volunteers hoping to help out on April 26,” McKee said. “We don’t want to lose them!”

KAB in 2006 helped initiate the Takeover/Makeover program, which initially involved numerous volunteers and community partners. In recent years, residents had been asked only to set out trash at their curb.

McKee said that after the volunteer side of Takeover/Makeover was suspended, KAB created the “Get Down and Get Dirty” cleanup.

She added that in celebration of the Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup, KAB is offering “Earth Day Free Day” on May 3 in partnership with Waste Management Inc., Rolling Meadows Recycling & Disposal Facility, Garick LLC, Fidelity Banks, Bridgestone and the Shawnee County solid waste department’s Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

McKee said:

■ Rolling Meadows Recycling and Disposal Facility, 7351 N.W. US-75 highway, will offer a free landfill day sponsored by Waste Management of Kansas Inc. The landfill will be open from 7 a.m. to noon. To be eligible for free disposal, all loads must be covered and contain no tires, hazardous waste items or appliances that contain Freon. The free disposal of trash will be available for individual Shawnee County residents only, and not for businesses.

■ The Garick Yard Materials Recycling Facility just northeast of Interstate 70 and N.W. MacVicar Avenue will be open from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4:45 p.m. for free disposal of yard waste for all Topeka residents. It will accept trees, limbs, leaves and grass. All loads should be covered or secured. The free day is available to all residents of Shawnee County, and not for businesses.

■ As part of Bridgestone’s ”One Team One Planet Program,” tire recycling collection for Shawnee County residents only will be offered from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Expert Tire, 3701 S.W. Topeka Blvd. A limit of four tires per household will be enforced. The business also will accept residential do-it-yourself oil, car batteries and antifreeze.

■ Shawnee County’s solid waste department will offer a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event from 9 a.m. to noon at its Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 131 N.E. 46th. Such wastes as household cleaners, pesticides, paint and similar products will be collected free of charge. The event is open to Shawnee County households only, and not to businesses.

■ Fidelity State Bank, in cooperation with Jayhawk File Express, will offer free confidential documental shredding from 10 a.m. to noon at its West Ridge Branch, 5926 S.W. 21st.